She Strengthens

Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak: A Flavorful Twist

This mouth-watering dish is inspired by the River Palm Terrace Restaurant in Edgewater, N.J., where it has been a permanent fixture on their menu for nearly two decades. Despite its numerous steps, this recipe is surprisingly simple and is sure to impress your guests.

A Delicious Accompaniment

Serve this dish with brown or basmati rice, infused with the nutty flavor of toasted sesame oil, sautéed shiitakes, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Steamed or stir-fried spinach or baby bok choy make a tasty and healthy side dish.

A Note on Spice

This recipe packs a punch with its wasabi kick. If you prefer a milder flavor, simply reduce the amount of wasabi paste and flour to 1 cup each.

Yield and Prep Time

This recipe yields 6 servings and requires a minimum of 15 minutes to 4 hours of marinating time, plus 35-45 minutes of prep and cooking time.

Marinade Ingredients

• 4 cups reduced-sodium soy or tamari sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 cup diced scallion, white and green parts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 1 cup cold water
• Splash of sherry
• Splash of sesame oil

Crust Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups freshly mixed wasabi paste
• 3/4 cup fine rice flour
• 3/4 – 1 cup water (or more if necessary)
• 1/2 cup each black and white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 tuna steaks, 6 oz each, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

Combine soy or tamari sauce, ginger, black pepper, scallion, garlic, cold water, sherry, and sesame oil in a large bowl. Reserve half of the mixture in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Marinate the Tuna

Place the tuna steaks in the marinade and refrigerate for 15 minutes to 4 hours, turning occasionally.

Step 3: Prepare the Crust

Mix wasabi paste, flour, and 3/4 cup water in a bowl or food processor until smooth. Add water as needed to achieve a mayonnaise-like consistency.

Step 4: Coat the Tuna

Remove the tuna from the marinade, gently wiping off excess. Coat both sides of each steak with a thin layer of the wasabi-flour mixture. Press each steak into sesame seeds, coating completely.

Step 5: Sear and Roast

Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over high heat. Gently transfer the tuna to the pan, searing for 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast for 8-10 minutes, or to desired doneness.

Step 6: Serve

Serve the sesame crusted tuna steaks with the reserved marinade on the side. Enjoy!